Case Study: Emergency Lighting for one of the UK’s largest retailing giants

The client

Following a competitive tender process, through a nominated facilities management company, one of the UK’s largest retailing giants, with their very own recognisable high street shops numbering in excess of 2500 stores, approached Astral Fire and Security Ltd to assess the emergency lighting at a warehouse located in the West Midlands.

The challenge

The facilities management company recognised that the warehouse was not wholly compliant with British Standards (BS5266) within which summarises the illuminance requirements for emergency lighting in escape routes, open areas and high risk areas. Proudly, Astral was chosen as the best solution provider to help the business achieve their emergency lighting safety strategy due Astrals’ timely, competitive response and guidance.

Astral recommended an L.E.D. upgrade to replace over 1000 lights as the existing emergency lights were considered to be very old, none compliant and in most cases obsolete. Along with the necessary qualifications to carry out the electrical works required and the ability to work at height one of the many reasons Astral was successful in this bid was the recognition of the clients working needs and actually how busy the site is. As you can imagine fulfilling the retail stock replenishment for the stores is an ongoing job with thousands of packages being produced and hundreds of vehicles moving around the site. Working around the warehouse needs and the staff therein required careful planning and empathy at every step.

Recognising the scale of the retail output from the warehouse facility meant that any works which needed the electricity isolating, had to be carried out in such a way so as not to impact on the business flow. This required a mutual understanding and agreement from both parties so we could hit the stringent timelines without delay. Indeed Astral often worked over the weekend and into the evening to meet the client needs to maintain fulfilment and adherence to their own stringent KPI’s.

Resulting from a successful outcome to this project and of the building of relationships that Astral formed during this particular install we have now been approached to fulfil similar emergency lighting installations in equally large distribution and warehousing builds. Exciting times

We at Astral have the expertise and the capability to for you and to work with you. If you are looking at installing or renewing your emergency lighting; please get in touch as we would love to share your story.